City Tours Cusco: 4 Inca Sites, Qoricancha & Cusco Cathedral
Start Your City Tours in Cusco
Your unforgettable city tour begins with a pick-up from your hotel at 8:30 AM for a private exploration of Cusco’s most important landmarks. This city tour will guide you through the best Inca archaeological sites, showcasing the rich history of the Inca Empire and the beauty of colonial Cusco.
Explore 4 Inca Sites in Your City Tour
Your city tour will first take you to Sacsayhuaman, one of the most impressive Inca sites near Cusco. The massive stone walls and intricate construction techniques highlight the engineering prowess of the Incas. From here, you’ll have a panoramic view of Cusco.
Next, we will visit Qenqo, a site with labyrinthine stone formations and underground chambers that were likely used for religious ceremonies. It’s an important stop on your city tour to understand Inca spirituality.
Following Qenqo, we will proceed to Tambomachay, known for its sacred water fountains and baths. This site holds great significance for the Incas, who revered water as a vital and sacred element.
The final stop on this part of the city tour will be Pukapukara, a military site with strategic views of the Sacred Valley. You will see how the Inca people used this site to control access to the city.
Discover Cusco’s Colonial and Inca Heritage
In the second part of your city tour, you will explore Qoricancha, the Temple of the Sun. Once covered in gold, this temple was dedicated to Inti, the Inca Sun God. Despite the passage of time, the remnants of its walls and architecture still showcase the greatness of Inca craftsmanship.
We will also visit the Cusco Cathedral, an iconic landmark in the Plaza de Armas. Built on the foundations of an Inca palace, the cathedral blends Inca and Spanish architectural styles, and it houses valuable religious art and artifacts.
Free Afternoon to Explore Cusco’s Treasures
After a fascinating morning of city tours, the afternoon is free for you to explore Cusco at your own pace. You can visit the San Blas neighborhood, famous for its cobblestone streets and vibrant arts scene. You might also choose to explore San Cristobal for stunning views of Cusco.
Additionally, Cusco is home to many museums, including the Inca Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Qosqo Native Art Center, where you can learn more about the local history, art, and culture.
Language
ENGLISH OR SPANISH TOUR
Altitude
3,400 m.s.n.m
Transportation
TOURISTIC TRANSPORTATION
Difficulty
GENTLE WALK AND MINIBUS
Itinerary
We begin our tour early in the morning heading North-East of the city of Cusco. Along the way we will make a few stops at some of the lookout points available in order to take in the beauty of the inter-Andean valleys. We will also have the opportunity to see the 04 South American camelids (llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos) as well as learn about the use of alpaca wool in weaving.
We will then head towards Pisac where we will ascend, via minibus, the mountain of the same name where we will find the archeological site of this grand Inca city. We will then head back down to the town of Pisac, located on the shores of the Urubamba River, where we will visit the traditional, artisanal market. Here we will be able to see handicrafts as well as visit the specialized silver jewelers to see how they transform the metal into intricate jewelry pieces.
When finished, we head to Urubamba where we will stop for lunch (not included).
In the afternoon we will head towards the living Inca city of Ollantaytambo where we will encounter different constructions dedicated to the Inca deities, original water channels, and Inca architecture and engineering. Here we will also be able to note the evidence of structures made with astronomical purposes.
Once we finish to visit ollantaytambo inka site we continue with our bus ride to chinchero inka site,here we will have some time for our pictures,we will stay about 40 minutes here then we walk to board our minibus go go back to cusco city,once in cusco we will finish the tour in your hotel.
Include
- Professional tour guide
- Touristic transportation.
Not Include
Entrance tickets to the archeological sites (130 soles in cash at the first inca site you visit)
- Lunch.
- tips
- Snacks
- Pictures.
Recommendation
Water,camera,sunblock,sun hat,small backpack,rain gear,confortable shoes,some extra money.
NOTE: ask prices with all inclusive (tickets and lunch)
Prices
Extras
Is this trip right for you?
- This trip visits places at high altitudes, and as a result, some people may experience altitude sickness regardless of age or physical condition. Please refer to the Medical and Health Information section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
- This journey involves extensive walking to visit the sites, and if you choose to trek the Inca Trail or the Quarry Trail, you will face strenuous hikes. We recommend this trip for those with a good level of fitness. It is important to bring comfortable footwear suitable for hiking. See the “Packing” section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
- For those trekking the Inca Trail or the Quarry Trail, accommodation will be in campsites with basic facilities. Undoubtedly, this experience is not just about reaching the final destination (Machu Picchu) but about the incredible journey itself.
- According to Machu Picchu’s visiting regulations, all visitors must follow a pre-determined route within the site in a single direction. Once the guided tour begins, exiting and re-entering the site is not permitted. After the guided visit concludes, visitors must leave the site, and personal exploration of Machu Picchu is not allowed. Please refer to the Itinerary for more details.
- Travelers who choose different ways to reach Machu Picchu (Inca Trail, Quarry Trail, or Train) will not follow the same routes within the site. This means that you may not be able to take photos together overlooking Machu Picchu, whether traveling on the same booking or separate bookings.
Frequently Asked Questions
The tour includes visits to 4 Inca sites: Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, Tambomachay, and Pukapukara, as well as the Qoricancha Temple and the Cusco Cathedral.
The city tour lasts approximately 4 hours, giving you time to explore the main Inca sites and colonial landmarks.
Yes, the city tour is a private service, ensuring a personalized and in-depth experience with an expert guide.
Yes, after the city tour, you will have free time in the afternoon to explore neighborhoods like San Blas, San Cristobal, or visit local museums.
TALK TO AN SPECIALIST
One of our specialists will respond to your travel request as soon as possible.
